Hypertension and diabetes are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but in rural areas management is poor. Our study assessed whether a standard package of CVD care interventions in rural China was being delivered effectively, and if it was associated improved lifestyle and biomedical indicators.

Patients in the intervention arm reported drinking less alcohol and had more exercise (32% vs. 15%, and 31% vs. 18%, respectively); and

Prescribing and taking of statins and aspirin, and prescribing (but not taking) of anti-hypertensives, were substantially higher.

Key conclusions

Implementation of the package by family doctors was feasible and improved prescribing and some lifestyle changes.

Additional measures such as reducing medication costs and patient education are required.

Method

We selected 3 counties in central Zhejiang province on the basis that their townships hospitals had electronic health records and agreed to participate in the trial. All the 67 eligible township hospitals are currently participating in the study.

Intervention strategies

Case management guidelines, training and performance monitoring meetings and patient support activities were designed to fit within the job description of family doctors in the township hospitals. These intervention strategies comprised:

prescription of a standardised package of medicines targeted at those with hypertension or diabetes;

advice about specific lifestyle interventions; and

advice about medication adherence.

Implications

Raise coverage for essential medicines for hypertension and diabetes in primary care facilities;